I had to see for myself how, if at all, arithmetic is being taught today.
I turned on my computer, opened up the Chrome browser and took a ride on the Information Superhighway.
I stumbled on a course in arithmetic for students in grades 1 - 8.
I opened up the lessons for grade eight.
A cartoon monster with five eyes greeted me,
"Hello friend! Welcome to
our class. How many eyes do I have?"
I was given a choice of answers:
A = 1
B = 2
C = 3
D = 4
E = 5
I clicked on E. A message popped up on the screen, telling me that 5 was the right answer.
The monster asked me,
"Do you wish to make new friends? The more math we learn, the more friends we will have!"
Just when I thought it wasn't possible to pile manure any higher, someone finds a way.
I got out of this site quickly, doing my best to recover from the shock at seeing cartoon monsters with five eyes brainwashing the youth of America.
I moved on. I found an article that looked like something worth reading.
The Common Core is today's New Math - which is actually a good thing.
Published: September 9, 2015
This article is dated, but The Common Core curriculum is still being followed in a large number of U.S. states.
In the article, the true science of arithmetic is being called "so-called New Math."
One result of this was the so-called New Math (Old Fashion), which focused more on conceptual understanding of mathematics over rote memorization of arithmetic. Set theory took a central role, forcing students to think of numbers as sets of objects rather than abstract symbols to be manipulated. This is actually how numbers are constructed logically in an advanced undergraduate mathematics course on real analysis, but it may not necessarily be the best way to communicate ideas like addition to schoolchildren.
For the record, this review if ridiculous and irresponsible.
According to these experts of higher education, the following procedure to add numbers together is as follows:
Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.
Fluently add and subtract within 1,000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction. Multiply one-digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 (eg, 9 x 80, 5 x 60) using strategies based on place value and properties of operations.
This description is unintelligible.
The author continues,
"As an instructor of college-level mathematics, I view this focus on conceptual understanding and multiple strategies for solving problems as a welcome change.
The student has a better intuition about math, which creates better problem-solving."
Here is an example of the "Old Way" to subtract numbers and the "New (Common Core) Way"
According to this college professor of mathematics, the concept of 2-2 = 0 and 3-1 = 2 is just too hard to conceptualize. This bright and shiny New Way is cutting edge technology. There isn't anything more to say here. I now understand how a Graduate student in Computer Science, a master of Python programming, did not know what six times seven equals. He was conceptualizing multiple strategies in his mind, working on finding the best solution to solve the problem. Truly, genius at work.
Socrates was charged with corrupting the youth of Athens. His penalty was to drink a goblet of hemlock. Lucky this practice has been abolished.
The explanation of how the United States declined into a state of utter stupidity is clear. Childish gibberish was wrapped in bright shiny boxes and sold as cutting edge technology. The young men and women of this Nation are not being prepared to lead this country into the 21st century. They are leaving high school with radishes for brains.
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